The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1887-08-06
THE CREoLES OF
LOUISIANA;
Or, "reminiscences of an Old
Acadian.
BY FELIX VOORHEES,.
BY FELIX VOORHEES,.

MARYLAND with MS She was AZ nave
told you. my adopted child. and l loved
her with mothers love. Shedwelt with |
me and followed me in my long weary.
overland pilgrimage from Maryland to
Louisiana. shall not speak to you more
Of the many dangers that beset us an
our way and Of the obstacles We had to
overcome in order to reach Louisiana.
This would be anticipating what re-
mains for me tO relate to you. When we
reac he'd the Techs country, at the POste
des Attakapss, we found the whole
population congregated there to welcome
us. As We landed from the coat EN-
incline walked by my side. bnt seemed
not to admire the beautiful landscape
extending on all sides. Alas! 1t was OF
no moment TO her whether she strOlled
on the poetical bank of the Teche, or ram |
bled in the picturesque sites Of hospita-
BILE Maryland. She lived in the past and
her soul was absorbed with her mournful
regrets the for past. For her the universe
had lost the prestige Of. Its beauties. OF
its splendor, Of its freshness. The radian- |
ce Of her dreams was dimmed and she
breathed In an atmosphere OF darkness
and desOlatiOn.
She walked beside me with measured
step and grave cOuntenance, when. she
grasped my hand as il fascinated by a
vision, she stood rooted to the spot and
her very hearts blood suffused her cheek
with crimson hush, and then with the
silvery tones Of voice vibrating with
Joy: Mother, mother, she cried, /: is be
it is Louis! pointing to the tall figure
of man reclining beneath large oak.
That man was Louis Arceneaux: With
the rspidity Of lightning she few to his
side and In an ec,tacy Of joy and love
cried, Louis. Louis, am your Emmeline
your long lost Emmeline /. Have you
forgotten her!
Louis turned ashy pale and hung down
bis head without uttering word.
Louis, she said painfully impressed by
her lovers silence and GOODNESS why do
you turn your eyes away from mine?
am still your Emmeline, your bethrothed
and have kept pure and unsullisd my
plightedtfaith to you? Not word OF we
leone, Louisr she said, as the tears star
ted to her eyes. Tell me do tell me that
your love me still and that Joy surprise
at meeting me have overcome you and
stined your utterancer
Louis Arceaux. with quivering lips
and tremulOus voice answered Emmeline
speak notIsO kindly to me, for l am IN
worthy Of you. can love you no;longer.
Ihave pledged my faith to another. Tear
from your heart the remembrance of the
happy past Forgive me and with quick
step he walked away and was soon lost
to view in the forest.
Poor Emmelins stood trembling like
an aspen leaf. l took her hand, it was
icy Geld. A deadly pallor had overspread
her osantenance and her eyes had vac
ant stare. Emmeline. my dear girl.
come, said, and she followed me like
child without resistance. I clasped her
in my arms and wept bitterly. Emmel-
inc, my dear child, be comforted, there
may yet be happiness in store for you.
Ernmeline, Emmeline. she muttered in
an undsrt0ne, as il to recall that name.
Then looking in my face with fearful
ly shining eyes, that made me shudder.
she said in a strange. unatural voice ::
who are you and turned from me-